Letter from Jack (9/14)

Dear Concert Orchestra,

Thank you for your effort and attention on Monday evening. We really started to get the “feel” for the wacky ⅞ section of Scherzo Fantasy!

Here are some notes, as well as a review of our progress:

Scherzo Fantasy

TUNING

• If you remember anything, remember ROOT, THIRD, FIFTH. Winds and brass (everyone really), start to think about where you sit in each chord that we play (do, mi, or sol?). This is somewhat simplified in Bizet and Mozart, but can be quite tricky in the Arslanian. Please reference “chord voicings” attached here for some of the trickiest moments in the Arslanian for help here.
• ALL players could benefit from practicing against a “drone” pitch. You can download several apps to help with this. It’s easiest to put on the root pitch of a given key, (Eb in Eb major, for instance), and practice playing a scale slowly against this pitch- focusing on getting each interval to ring in tune.

COUNTING

• The rests are as important for counting as the written notes. You each need to keep a constant pulse in your head, even when (especially when) resting.
• PERCUSSION: please continue to work on feeling these tricky complex meters. If you haven’t already, divide each measure into triangle (3 groupings) and slash (2 groupsings). If your part has lots of ornaments (flams, rolls, etc..), consider starting your practice WITHOUT including these elements, in order to gain a steady sense of pulse.

ARTICULATION

• Please focus on articulating the beginning of each slur. This doesn’t need to be a huge accent, but you need to invest energy in the beginning.
• STRINGS, Rehearsal C to the downbeat of Rehearsal B was not prepared to an acceptable standard on Monday. Please pay extra attention to this section in your practice. You’ll need to plan out some thoughtful fingerings, and get used to lifting the bow off the string on single staccato notes. Slow, deliberate work please.

MOZART 

• Our ensemble work is really improving for the introduction of this one!
• Viola, Violin II, Violin I: Please work on articulating the beginning of each note- especially quarter and half notes. The bow speed will change when we get to the Sfz in measure 5. 1sts- many of you do not understand the rhythm or bowing in measure 5. This is tricky stuff! Please focus in on this part with some careful preparation.

The Retreat! 

MUSICAL STUFF 

• We will focus our musical attention on The following areas

MOZART

• Beginning to measure 93

ARSLANIAN

• Rehearsal A to rehearsal L

HAVE YOURSELF a MERRY LITTLE X MAS

• Read through.

SOCIAL TIME! 

• Be prepared to get to know your section, and to maybe dive into some cool “historical background” with our repertoire. Remember, your effort will affect your experience. Let’s show up on Saturday prepared to take risks, make a new friend or two, and support each other during this important time of musical growth! Remember to bring a nut-free lunch!

I’m looking forward to making music together this weekend.

Jack